How to Become a Good Follow Focus Puller

Are you facing difficulties using follow focus? Well, you're not alone. There are lots of people facing troubles as the act is easy but the mental pressure is quite huge. if you're a novice or an experienced, becoming a skilled expert requires much labor.

There is no denying the fact that a follow focus system is important because DSLR cameras don't have auto-focus capabilities. Now, the question arises, why do you need a follow focus system. Here's the complete guide.  

Why Do you Need a Follow Focus for your DSLR   

In simpler terms, the aspects of focus are quite complex and delicate. While filming, using your hands to make adjustments can be a perilous task to do and it can even lead to decrease the video production value of your video. And the reason behind is that because these cameras are lightweight and they wouldn't manage your subtle movements. This would ultimately result in the jumpy footage. 

These complications may be avoided when you are filming for a little audience as they are more of forgiving such technical errors. Talking about the scenario, if you are making videos of longer length, commercials or any other films, it is important for you to use a  follow focus DSLR to make sure that each shot should be crisp as possible. Attaining a follow focus puller helps you to achieve the best possible results you've always wished for.  

Steps to Become a Good Follow Focus Puller  

Following are the steps you can follow to become a good follow focus puller.  

1. Predict Distances

 

One of the easiest ways to become a better focus puller is to become accurate at guessing distances. Or in other words, you can say that you should become a human measuring tape. Make sure you start doing it by going into a room with a measuring device and sit in the corner. Take an object and note down the best guess for its distance and then write an estimation from where you were sitting. 
Once you've become good at this, you can choose an object and move on with the process of guessing and checking with an in-depth calculator. 

2. Start Paying Attention to the Public 

Make sure you go out to a public place like a park, a mall, and start paying attention to how people act around certain spaces. In addition, it is important for You to visit a variety of atmospheres where people will act differently. Talking about the settings, there are a plethora of settings like restaurants.  

3. Pretend the Motions 

To do this, just sit in a room and act like you are holding a follow focus DSLR. After that, look at the doorway and assume a character is walking in and sitting down in the room. Make sure you adjust follow focus if necessary. Furthermore, it emphasizes the motion of focus pulling and will get your mind to the direction in which you must pull to go a certain way.